Bubba Thompson, who was the first overall pick in the 2017 MLB draft, will trade his glove for a helmet and shoulder pads as he intends to join South Alabama Jaguars football team.
South Alabama head coach Major Applewhite will join the team as a spring practice assistant he told AL.com. On his Facebook page, he posted a video of himself throwing a soccer ball at the school’s soccer hall.
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Reds center fielder Bubba Thompson takes third base against the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 7, 2024. (Katie Stratman-USA Today Sports)
“We support you,” he captioned the video.
Thompson, 26, has experience in goal. He played football while attending McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Alabama, leading the school to the 2017 state title.
He then committed to the University of Alabama to play baseball. However, he never enrolled in college. Instead, he recruited him Texas Rangers in 2017 with their 26th pick and decided to pursue a Major League career.
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Cincinnati Reds outfielder Bubba Thompson takes the third round during a spring training game against the Cleveland Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona on February 24, 2024. (Kareem Elgazzar-USA Today Sports)
Thompson did not emerge as a superstar. He was quick on the base paths, recording 18 steals in 55 games in 2022. He was with the Rangers in 2023, playing in 37 games. Then he joined Cincinnati Reds last year and appeared in 17 games.
Since he never entered college, he has five years of law. Rivals rated him as a two-star quarterback coming out of school.
South Alabama went 7-6 last season in Applewhite’s first year. They ended the year by winning the Salute to Veterans Bowl.
South Alabama Jaguars head coach Major Applewhite celebrates with his team during the Salute to Veterans Bowl at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on December 15, 2024. (Jake Crandall/ The Advertiser/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
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Gio Lopez and Bishop Davenport played running back for the Jaguars last season.
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